CHARTS - Recorder
charts are color coded and correspond to the pitch colors
in the beginning songs.
For making
identification easier, paste the charts on a matching color
construction paper
and laminate.
Post
charts in your room(s). As a center, post charts lower, allowing
students to sit on the floor with the charts in their view. |
Recorder
station in music cottage, Cumming, GA
(see room layout below)
|
| BEGINNING
SONGS - The beginning recorder songs use color pitches
which correspond to the color fingering charts. Once the fingering
of a pitch is known, the color returns to the traditional black.
Beginning songs spiral fingering skills towards mastering the
C major scale.
Students
are eager to play tunes they sing, thus the beginning recorder
songs are known by most students in the third through fifth
grades. Once the five beginning songs are mastered, the student
may choose to play the class vocal selection, or, any selection
from Music You Can Read®, as
eighty-five percent of the "letter name" formatted songs are
in C major. All
new pitches will require the teacher's guidance. |
CLASS
INTRODUCTION - There are several objectives during
the class introduction to playing the recorder:
- posture
- hand
positions
- breath control
- covering
the pitch holes correctly
- identifying the correct chart for the colored pitch
- good practice habits
- earning certificates
The
first four objectives are basic skills known to all music teachers,
here we address objectives five, six, and seven.
Using
an overhead projection with a color transparency of the first song,
ask the students to identify the first pitch and it's color.
Which recorder fingering
chart matches the color of the first pitch. "If the pitch
was the color red, what color chart will show the fingering?" Demonstrate
the left and right hands shown on the chart. Direct the students
attention to the 'T' hole, for the thumb. "Who knows what the 'T'
identifies?" While finding and demonstrating how to play the
pitches in the first
song,
the
students should
mimic your demonstrations:
- What color is first pitch?
- Which chart shows the fingering of the yellow pitch?
- Which hand are we using?
- Show correct fingering.
- Students show correct fingering.
- Play pitch for four beats.
- Students play pitch for four beats.
Repeat
for each pitch of the first song. As each new pitch is mastered,
add it to the melody until the melody is complete. Play entire
song! You may continue class lessons for the remaining
beginning songs, demonstrating the new pitch colors and color
pitches changing to black, or, we recommend directing the
students to the recorder center
and how to complete the
beginning
songs
at
their own
pace,
during center time.
Good
practice habits: (posted in your classroom)
- Say
it
- Finger
it
- Play
it
- Evaluate
- rhythm, phrasing, tone quality
CERTIFICATES -
Students earn certificates for each song they master on the
recorder. Earning the beginning five certificates earns the right
to choosing a selection of their own. Certificates
can
be earned by the entire class, or individually during center time.
HINT: Once
the student masters the beginning songs, ask them to play
the C major scale, ascending and descending. You
my give a few hints, however, based on skills they already own,
it is best for the student to discover the solution. Their
eyes will
light up!
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